Goldman Awards Stock Ahead of Tax Rise

By

Liz Moyer,

Steven Russolillo and

Patrick McGee

Updated Jan. 2, 2013 8:16 p.m. ET

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. handed insiders including Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein and his top lieutenants a total of $65 million in restricted stock just hours before this year's higher tax rates took effect.

The New York securities firm gave 10 of its directors and executives early vesting on 508,104 shares previously awarded as part of prior...